Magical Maya A (Bettor’s Delight) put in maybe the most impressive mile of the young season at Saratoga Casino Hotel when on Tuesday she went coast-to-coast in the matinee’s feature. Larry Stalbaum owns, trains and drives the six year old Aussie invader who hit the board in two of her first three starts in the local Fillies and Mares Open this year.
On Tuesday, Stalbaum powered the 6-1 shot out in first-half fractions of 27.0 and 55.0 as longshot Alittlesidehustl N (Billy Dobson) tracked the leader’s every move from the pocket.
The rest of the field in the $15,000 Open was strung out and Magical Maya A just never let up, pouring it on to lead past three quarters in a dazzling 1:22.4 before hanging on to win in 1:52.1. The speedy mare lowered her lifetime mark by close to three seconds in the victory that took place on a spring-like 60 degree afternoon in Saratoga.
Alittlesidehustl N was the runner-up at odds of 21-1 while Racy Roxy A (Jay Randall) came from a long way back to finish third. Magical Maya A paid $15.40 to win in the upset as she joined veteran distaffer Miss Irish Rose A as Stalbaum trainees to pull off surprises on Tuesday’s card.
The twelve year old Miss Irish Rose A won for the first time this season while competing in a race for claiming filly and mare pacers. Stalbaum is the owner, trainer and driver for both of his stable’s Tuesday winners.
Live racing resumes on Saturday evening with a first post time of 5pm.
Mike Sardella | Saratoga Casino Hotel | Saratoga Springs, NY
Jessica Hallett photo
